Elizabeth Earnshaw, LMFT

Individual, Couples, and Family Therapist and Founder of A Better Life

Individual and Couples Therapist and Founder of A Better Life

I have some very good news for you. Having difficult feelings of sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, anger, guilt, shame—does not mean you are not healthy. What this does mean is that you might be uncertain about how to manage these emotions in a less painful way. I am so sorry you are struggling and I want to support you in feeling better.

Whether you are experiencing anxiety, depression, or are just stuck in a life transition, I can help. Every person’s experience is different and I approach each session with genuine interest, openness, & empathy for your particular situation. We will work together to identify unhelpful patterns and beliefs so that you can release emotional pain.

Recognizing the source of emotional pain and addressing it head on can lead to amazing changes in your life. I encourage my clients to let go of self-criticism and judgment and to recognize that their beliefs, emotions, and behaviors all developed as a way to cope with life. Many of our coping skills continue to be effective throughout our lives, however some of them stop working eventually. I will teach you new ways to cope which will support healthy and mindful living. You will take back the power from your emotions and thoughts. You will learn to create healthy boundaries, express yourself, appreciate yourself, and most importantly understand yourself. Other people will notice the changes in you. Most of all, you will notice.

Couples Therapy:
I was trained at the oldest marriage and family therapy training institute in the country, The Council for Relationships. When working with couples I use systemic, emotion focused, and Gottman Therapy to support couples to make real change in their relationship which includes improved communication, increased intimacy, better understanding, and forward movement in the relationship.
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I have completed Gottman Level 3 training and am listed on their referral network. Gottman Couples Therapy is the most highly researched form of couples therapy and has been found to show results time and again.
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Due to my background in couples therapy, I am also well equipped to support you in grieving the loss/end of a relationship or supporting you in developing healthy skills to develop and enhance your relationships.
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When working with affairs I often work within both the Gottman method and by being trauma informed, as we know that affairs can cause a trauma response.

Trauma and Grief Therapy:
I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and have been trained in a number of trauma therapy models. I have supported people experiencing significant losses and traumas in Salvador, Brazil, New Orleans, LA, and Philadelphia. I use Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Grief & Trauma Intervention (GTI), Mindfulness Based Approaches, and Thought Field Therapy (TFT) when working with clients that have experienced a signicant stressor (or trauma) in their lives.

Anxiety, Depression, and Adjustment Issues
I support clients with anxiety, depression, and adjustment issues (a major move, new life roles, etc) by using a systemic approach to help client’s recognize the source of their difficulties. Systemic approaches look at the entire picture of your life to help you recognize and understand the many sources that may be causing you discomfort. I also use mindfulness based approaches and CBT to help clients not only manage their symptoms but to move past them.